Statistics General

U.S. Statistics – General

A wealth of United States statistical information is available on several topics. While much of the material is freely available on the internet, several library databases are also important data sources. The following guide will lead you to the most important general and specific sources for national statistics.

• Statistical Abstract of the United States – This is the fundamental starting point for any research involving U.S. statistics. Although the U.S. government stopped producing it with the 2012 issue, the Statistical Abstract still provides provides tables of statistics for most areas of American business, society, education, family life, employment, and other aspects. Most importantly, tables will always list the sources for their data. This will lead you to the most detailed and up-to-date source for your statistical topic.

• Earlier Editions (Statistical Abstract) – The Census Bureau provides an online archive of the annual statistical abstract back to 1878, as well as a very useful compendium, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970.